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Dublin may be the capital of Ireland but in many ways, it’s got a beautiful small-town charm to it.

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And while there's plenty to do on a visit to Dublin, between seeing the city's many tourist attractions, enjoying Dublin's friendly pubs, or shopping on Grafton Street, you'll notice that the city is easy to get around.

If you want to experience Dublin's coastal towns, including Dalkey, Dun Laoghaire (pronounced “Done Leery”), Howth, Killiney, and Malahide, grab the DART and it will take you there in no time.

Getting around Dublin is easiest on foot, although there are plenty of tours to take you around the city, too.

If you love old buildings, there are lots of them to see here, including Dublin’s distinctive Georgian architecture.

The city's iconic Dublin Castle. Photo: Skitterphoto.

The architecture was based on the European Palladian style of architecture created by the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio.

building at night Dublin on a budget
The Custom House in Dublin. Photo: Joao Jesus.

Some of the most notable Georgian buildings you’ll see in Dublin include the Custom House, considered one of Dublin’s finest examples of Georgian architecture.

It also includes the National Museum of Ireland, and the National Gallery of Ireland, which houses an incredible collection of Irish and European works (paintings, prints, and national portraits), all from the 13th through the mid-20th centuries.

There’s a lot more to take in on a tour of Ireland’s capital.

sign Book of Kells
Entry sign pointing to the Book of Kells Exhibition, Trinity College. Photo courtesy of Tourism Ireland.

That includes the Trinity College Library, which houses the famous Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where apparently St. Patrick himself baptized the natives around 445 AD, and Dublin Castle, built in the 1200s on a Viking settlement.

You can also see the Old Jameson Distillery, a Dublin must-see tour that includes a free whiskey.

building Guinness storehouse
The exterior of the Guinness Storehouse. Photo: Tara Morgan for Tourism Ireland.

How about the Guinness Storehouse, where you can take a tour. If you book the tour just mentioned, you'll get a free pint of Guinness to enjoy in The Guinness Gravity Bar.

Dublin is also home to some fantastic museums and galleries, many of which are completely free.

Put Ireland's capital city on your must-see list when you are visiting Ireland on a budget.